Description:Echinopsis winteriana cv. Fluorescent, better known as Lobivia winteriana cv. Fluorescent is a selected cultivated form with "shocking fuchsia pink" to purple-violet flowers that contrast nicely with the bright white throat. The vivid contrast of colours is absolutely fantastic, especially immediately after the first opening of a floral bud. The brightness of colours fades a little on the second day. It is a very prolific bloomer, if you keep it reasonably cool and absolutely dry during winter. It reproduces by seeds and the special colour of flowers is inherited by offspring, however there may be some differences between seedlings. Habit: It is a small solitary or basally branched cactus, older plants may form mats. Stem: At first globular becoming cylindrical as it ages, diameter about 5-7 cm. Epidermis greys-green.Ribs: 13-19 more or le spiralling.Root: Napiform (Carrot like).Areoles: Oval with dull white felt.Radial spines: 6-14 short, about 4-7 mm long, thin, unequal, curved backward somehow pectinated, pale brown, yellow or amber when young, later greys.Central spines: None or sometime 1 stouter about 1-3 cm long, darker with black tip.Flowers: Large, funnel shaped, very colourful fuchsia pink to purple-violet, often with a bluish sheen and bright white throats 7,5-9 cm in diameter. Tepals lanceolate.Fruit: About 1,5 cm in long, tannish-green to brownish-red.Seed: Black.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Echinopsis backebergii group

Echinopsis backebergiiWerderm. in Backeb.: has 1-11 spines, variable, unequal, about 4-50 mm long and very colourful flowers carmine-red or violet, often with white throats. Distribution: From South-east La Paz (Bolivia) to Huancavelica (Peru).

Cultivation and Propagation: Echinopsis winteriana cv. Fluorescent grows rather slowly and it is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone) and needs a very good drainage to avoid rotting, but requires more moisture than true desert cacti to grow and produce flower. It is a very easy flowerer, if you keep it reasonably cool and absolutely dry during winter and lots of fresh air and sunshine tends to produce better plants and more flowers. Soil: Use a loose well drained cactus mix.Repotting: It require a deep pot suited to accommodate the swollen root, repotting with fresh potting-mix should be done every other year or when the plant has outgrown its pot. However, repotting doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Sun Exposure: Light shade when young, full sun later. Outside it likes strong sunshine, but is tolerant and do well with light shade during the hot Summer months. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages spine production. Hardiness: It is cold resistant to -10° ( or even less depending on clones) for short periods of time. It will show its flowers only if we provide an adequate winter rest period.Watering: Water regularly through the growing season. This can be done weekly or more frequently during the summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, but allow to dry fully before watering again. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy growth. Keep rather dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October and keep it dry in winter. The plant survives outside without protection in winter but is then somewhat prone to rot, too.Fertilization: Give an occasional high potassium liquid feed during the active growing period.Garden uses: It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. Pest and diseases: They are generally fairly easy to grow, especially if kept pest-free. They are susceptible to, scale insects and spider mite. Watch carefully for infestations of stem and root mealy bugs, and damage from these may well initiate fungal attack.Propagation: Seeds, also can be grown from cutting as it branches from the base. Take cuttings spring or summer, let them dry till the ends callous well. Then replant them in fresh cactus soil that is ever so slightly moist, and keep it that way till they root. Surface sowing is the best; seeds germinate in 14-28 days at 20° C , remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions.